Protective device



April 12, 1938. A. E. VASBINDER PROTECTIVE DEVICE Filed Oct. 24, 1936 ALBERT E. VAJ'BINDER IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEY Patented Apr. 12, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 24,

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a protective device and more particularly to a means for protecting the frames of basement windows or other openings and contiguous frangible members of dwellings or other buildings. Primarily the object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive and easily installed metallic sheathing for the wooden members of the frame and adjacent wooden elements of the building structure whereby they are protected from injury when the window or opening is utilized as a passage in the movement of commodities, such as coal, into the basement or building.

Heretofore various means have been employed to provide a closable opening into the basements of dwelling or the like to accommodate the passage of solid fuel. Steel coal doors have been proposed but these are objectionable in some instances as they allow no light to enter the basement when they are closed and by interrupting the architectural continuity of the window scheme detract from the appearance of the build ing. Windows utilizing steel sash and steel frames have been used but these are also architecturally unsuited for use in many installations. From the standpoint of both appearance and economy the window having a hingedly mounted wooden sash and a wooden frame has been found to be very satisfactory for the purpose and particu- J larly is this true where frame construction utilizing siding elements of Wood is involved. However, the window frame and adjacent building elements being of wood are subject to much damage when violently struck by moving particles of solid fuel when the bins within the building are being filled. I provide effective and economical means to obviate this disadvantage.

Accordingly an object of my invention is to provide a unitary device of sheet steel which when applied to the window will prevent damage to a portion of its frame and contiguous wooden elements of the dwelling.

Another object of my invention is to provide a protective device for use with a window which also serves as a coal door which is operative to aid in the passage of the solid fuel into the dwelling.

A further object of my invention is to provide inexpensive and easily applied elements which 59 are operative to protect the side sections of a wooden window frame against damage by the violent impact of particles of solid fuel or other elements thereagainst.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention Will become apparent from a consider- 1936, Serial N0. 107,401

ation of the drawing and the following detailed description.

In the drawing:

Figure I is a perspective view of a wood basement window to which a preferred embodiment of my invention has been applied.

Figure II is a cross-sectional view of the window and protectors of Figure I.

Figure III illustrates my invention as applied to a modified form of building construction.

Figure IV illustrates the developed sheet of steel from which the upper protector is made, the dotted lines indicating the location of the bends; and

Figure V illustrates the developed sheet of steel from which the side protectors are made, the dotted lines indicating the location of the bends.

As shown in Figures I and II, the building is provided with a Wall I0 having an opening therein for the accommodation of the window frame II. Extending longitudinally along the top of the Wall [0 and frame II are the plate members l2 on which are supported the vertically extending studs l3 carrying the Wood sheathing M. The lap siding l5 of wood is secured tosheathing l4 and in the type of construction illustrated in Figures I and II is brought down to meet the upper rail of the frame II. The protector l6 comprising a sheet of steel of approximately 18 gauge, U. S. Standard, of a width equal to the inner width of the frame H is bent to conform to the contour of the lower siding member, the upper rail of the frame II, the sash stop l8 and terminates at the vertical plane of the outer surface of the sash l9. A sheet ll of similar material is draped around the face and inner surface of the side rails of the frame I I and likewise terminates at the outer surface of the sash I 9. Any suitable means may be employed to securely and permanently secure the sheet metal protectors to the window frame and siding.

It is thus made apparent that I have provided an eifective and economical means for protecting the frame of a window or other opening and adjacent siding from harm when the window or opening is used as a passage for articles or solid fuel being delivered into the building. No protecting means is considered necessary for the sill of the window as invariably a chute is placed thereon when the delivery is being made. Any flying particles impinging against the metal sheets will, because of the shape and resiliency of the metal sheets, be deflected inwardly and thus the protectors perform the function of aiding the passage of the fuel or other material in addition to protecting the elements of the window and building from harm. While I have shown the plate l6 as encompassing but one siding board it is obvious that two or more may be so covered if desired.

Figure III shows the invention applied to a modified form of building construction wherein a facer board 2| topped by a water table 22 is provided immediately above the wall If) and below the siding l5. In this installation the upper end of the sheet I6 is run in intimate contact with the board 2! and terminates beneath the water table 22. A singular advantage of this construction is that the upper edge of the sheet I6 is effectively sealed against the entrance of water between the wood elements of the building and the inner surface of the sheet.

While I am familiar with various developments of metal or metal-clad siding elements for buildings I have found that they are unsuited for the purpose of this invention which contemplates, primarily, the provision of a simple and economical protective means for application to existing structures.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as disclosed herein, may be made without departing from my invention as set forth in the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A protective device for use with a window frame having a sash therein and adjacent siding elements of a building comprising a metallic plate of a width equal to the width of the opening in the frame, said plate being bent to conform to the contour of the upper rail of the frame and the adjacent siding elements of the building, said plate lying in intimate contact with the outer surfaces of the rail and siding elements and terminating at the outer surface of the sash.

2. A protective device for use with a window or other opening having wooden siding elements extending thereabove comprising a sheet of steel bent to conform to the outer surface of the siding elements and in intimate contact therewith, said sheet being positioned adjacent said windowand extending thereabove and being of a width approximately equal to the width of the window or opening.

3. The combination with a window frame and siding elements extending thereabove, of protective means therefor comprising a sheet of steel bent .to conform to the outer surface of the upper rail of said frame and adjacent siding elements and lying in intimate contact therewith, a sheet of steel draped about each side rail of the frame and covering the outer edges and the opposed sides of the side rails.

4. A building construction comprising a Wall, an opening therein, a frame within said opening, a stud wall extending above said first mentioned wall, overlapped siding elements secured to said stud wall and extending above said frame, the lowermost of said elements having its lower end adjacent the upper rail of said frame, a metallic protective sheathing bent .to conform to the outer surface of the upper rail and adjacent siding elements lying in intimate contact with said rail and elements.

5. A building construction comprising a wall, an opening therein, a frame within said opening, a stud wall extending above said first mentioned wall, a base for said stud wall supported by said first mentioned wall, a facer board secured to the outer surface of said base and having its lower edge adjacent the upper rail of the frame, a water table positioned above said facer board and having its outer edge overlying the outer surface of the facer board, a protective device for said facer board and upper rail comprising an L-shaped sheet of metal having its upper edge positioned beneath the overlying edge ofthe water table and its horizontal portion in intimate contact with the lower surface of the upper rail.

6. A building construction comprising a wall, an opening therein, a Window frame within said opening, a window sash hingedly mounted on said frame and adapted to swing inwardly, a rib surrounding the inner surface of said frame constituting a stop to limit the outward movement of said sash, wooden siding elements secured to said wall above said opening, and a metallic protective sheathing bent to conform to the outer surfaces of said rib, frame and the adjacent siding element, said sheathing lying in intimate contact with said rib, frame, and siding element and being permanently secured thereto.

ALBERT E. VASBINDER. 

